Wideband Dual-Polarization Microstrip Patch Antenna Array for Airborne Ice Sounder Articles uri icon

publication date

  • August 2012

start page

  • 98

end page

  • 107

volume

  • 54

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 1045-9243

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1558-4143

abstract

  • We present the design and realization of an antenna array based on cavity-backed microstrip patch antenna elements, with a relative operating bandwidth exceeding 20% at a return-loss level better than 15 dB. The antenna array of four elements did not show any compromise in bandwidth. It exhibited sidelobe levels better than 15 dB, with a gain of around 12 dBi. Excellent agreement was achieved between measurements and predictions for the designs of both the single element and the array. This antenna is part of the European Space Agency's airborne polarimetric P-band terrestrial ice sounder.